When I feel hurried, or distracted, or too much demand from "out there", I remind myself of this quote from the beautiful Eucharistic meditation book, "Amazing Nearness" by Tadeusz Dajczer.
"St Augustine’s purification was severe. Hippo, into which he had put so much loving effort, had collapsed. What had taken years to build was destroyed...such was the fate of one of the greatest saints and church fathers". (pg37) "Humanly speaking, everything was destroyed. Yet, God never looses; maybe the destruction of Hippo was necessary so St Augustine would find deeper union with God. Christ did not shed His Precious Blood for Hippo, He did it for His beloved Augustine."
I pray I always remember the true meaning for it all, union with God who died for my sins. Who does not want my good works, but wants me. Who purifies me sometimes very painfully, because I begin to stray without even knowing it. Who desires me to belong totally to Him and never lose sight of why I began doing this work, to bring others to Him through His mercy and love.
"Lord, may I each day, keep my eyes on You no matter what others ask of me. May I prayerfully consider each thing I do making sure it is not my will or another's but Yours. I thank you for the grace of my healing and my experience of you that night long ago, which sustains me and gives the courage to continue. Jesus, I trust in You!" Amen
